Markets

Lichfield Markets

The historic Market Square has been the home for Lichfield markets since King Stephen granted the first markets charter in 1153.

The Market Square has also been central to many scenes in Lichfield's history. In the 1550's, during the reign of 'bloody' Queen Mary, Thomas Hayward, John Goreway and Joyce Lewis were burnt at the stake on the Square. Then in 1612 Edward Wightman was convicted of heresy and burnt at the stake on the Square - the last person so to die in England.

In 1651 George Fox, the Quaker, famously stood barefoot on the Market Square and denounced the city. "Woe to the Bloody City of Lichfield".

The Market Square is overlooked by the house where Dr Johnson was born in 1709. Dr Johnson was the writer of the first authoritative English Dictionary and his house is now a public museum.

The Square contains statues of Samuel Johnson and also of his biographer, James Boswell.